Expandable collar

ABSTRACT

A securing collar for use in securing the four corners of a &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;sheet&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; of tobacco to produce a bundle comprising an annular frustro-conical shaped body with corrugated walls which surrounds the four corners of the &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;sheet&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; and a severing tab to permit easy removal of the collar.

United States Patent [1 1 Smith, Jr. et al.

[ EXPANDABLE COLLAR [75] Inventors: Jay G. Smith, Jr., Lewisville; David H. Michal; Thomas E. Cartee, both of Winston-Salem; Burton J. Rothrock, Winston-Salem, all of N.C.

[73] Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company,

Winston-Salem, N.C.

[22] Filed: July 3, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 268,323

[52] US. Cl. 24/30.5 S, 206/46 TB [51] Int. Cl B65d 77/10 [58] Field of Search 53/32; 131/149, 1;

206/46 TB; 24/305 TC, 30.5 L, 30.5 S, 49 S [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,242,139 10/1917 Callahan ..24/30.5S

[ Dec. 4, 1973 1,862,133 6/1932 Bayan 206/46 TB UX 2,602,164 7/1952 Di Venuti 3,322,325 5/1967 Bush 24/30.5 P UX FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,255,105 1/1961 France 24/305 S 1,218,932 6/1966 Germany 459,872 9/1968 Switzerland 24/305 S Primary ExaminerDonald A. Griffin Attorney-Manford R. Haxton et al.

[5 7] ABSTRACT A securing collar for use in securing the four corners of a sheet of tobacco to produce a bundle comprising an annular frustro-conical shaped body with corrugated walls which surrounds the four comers of the sheet and a severing tab to permit easy removal of the collar.

5 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures EXPANDABLE COLLAR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a securing collar for use in tying sheets of flue-cured tobacco into bundles.

In the past, after the farmer has harvested a tobacco crop, the tobacco was tied into hands and placed on racks for curing. The cured tobacco was then transported on the racks to a warehouse for sale. Upon reaching the warehouse, the hands were removed from the racks and placed in a shallow basket which was positioned on the warehouse floor. At the warehouse, an auction was held, the buyers passing among the baskets selecting and bidding on the particular baskets of tobacco they wished to buy. After the auction, a contractor was given the job of clearing the warehouse floor. The contractor would take the various baskets bought by a particular buyer to a prize house where the tobacco was graded or classified and placed in hogsheads for transport to the stemming plant.

Due to the loss of farm labor, the tobacco farmers were having difficulty preparing the tobacco and transporting it to market in traditional manner. In order to eliminate this problem, the tobacco industry has gone to the sheet for transporting the tobacco from the farm to the warehouse. A sheet is a square piece of burlap in which the farmer piles his tobacco and then hand ties the opposite diagonal comers of the sheet together to form a package or bundle. At the warehouse, the bundles are untied by hand and the sheets are laid out on the warehouse floor. The auction is held and the tobacco buyers pass among the sheetsas in the past when baskets were used, bidding on the particular sheets they wish to purchase. After the auction is completed, the sheets are retied by handand either taken to a prize house where the bundle is untied again so that the tobacco can be graded and packaged in hogsheads for transport to the stemming plant; or the bundles are transported directly to the stemming plants. At the stemming plant, the bundles are untied by hand; and the tobacco is graded and run through a stemming process. After the stemming process, the tobacco is packaged in hogsheads for curing.

At one of the tobacco markets, in particular, sheets are used extensively to transport the tobacco from the market to the stemming plants, which are located in areas usually several hundred miles from the market. Recently, this market has consolidated; and consequently, a large quantity of these bundles of tobacco pass through a centrally located warehouse where the sheets" have to be tied and untied in the usual manner several times. It has been found that when this great quantity of sheets are placed in one location, an excessive amount of time is required to tie and untie the bundle knots. This, of course, increases the time required for the warehouse to set up for an auction and be cleared after the auction has been completed.

Furthermore, in recent years, there have been many attempts to automate the bundle handling process; and a great amount of time and effort has been expended to produce methods of handling these bundles at bot the market warehouses and the stemming plants. It has been found, however, that one of the biggest drawbacks in automation of the bundle handling process is the tying and untying of the knots in the sheets. This has been a factor mainly because in most of the automated handling systems which are now utilized, the bundles are handled by gripping the bundle by the knots and raising the bundle off the floor so that the entire weight of the bundle (usually between and 200 pounds) is placed on the knots. This procedure tends to tighten the knots and makes them almost impossible to untie by hand.

Some attempts have been made to devise special pliers or other types of tools for tying and untying the knots. None of these attempts have produced a satisfactory result. Whether the knots are tied or intied by hand or with a special tool, eventually the sheets" become torn and are no longer serviceable. Large numbers of the sheets have to be replaced after each season, and this number will certainly increase with the automation of the bundle handling process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Itis, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a device which can be used to secure the comers of a sheet whereby a bundle may be formed.

Another object of this invention is to provide a securing device for use on a tobacco sheet containing various amounts of tobacco.

Another object of this invention is to provide a securing device which will maintain the bundle firm and tight during transportation and which will be easily removable when the bundle reaches its destination.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device which is not only easy to remove upon reaching its destination but which is also easy to apply to the tobacco sheet.

Another object of this invention is to provide a securing device which is strong enough to be used on the tobacco sheets" that are being handled by various types of automated loading and handling systems.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a securing collar for use in tying tobacco sheets to form bundles which is easy to manufacture and is inexpensive.

These and other objects are accomplished by the present invention through the use of a securing collar having an annular frustro-conical body which is applied to a reusable tobacco sheet to form a package or bundle. The collar is applied to the sheet by initially inserting all four corners of the sheet therethrough, then grasping each comer separately and pulling it the remainder of the waythrough the collar until it wedges, thus forming a tight and compact bundle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing and additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art of the following detailed description of a'preferred embodiment taken with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a prospective of a securing collar according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the securing collar shown in FIG. 1 according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a illustration of an unsecured bundle of tobacco formed from a sheet in which the comers of the sheet are collected and pulled upwardly towards one another around the tobacco carried in the sheet;"

FIG. 4 is a detailed illustration of a portion of the tobacco sheet showing the initial step in applying the collar to the sheet by inserting the four corners of the sheet through the collar;

FIG. 5 is an illustration of an individual pulling a corner of the sheet the remainder of the way through the collar;

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a tobacco bundle after the securing collar has been applied according to the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a prospective of a modified embodiment of the securing collar according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring more particularly to the drawings, in FIGS. 1 and 2, the numeral 10 indicates a securing collar having an annular frustro-conical body or band 12 with corrugations 14 in its sloping wall. In the preferred embodiment, the collar is between one-half to threefourths inches in height and is formed by a stamping and drawing process. The preferred embodiment of the collar is made from a thin-gauge steel because of the manufacturing strength and flexibility requirements; however, any suitable material can be used. The corrugations run up and down the body wall, being about one-eighths inch deep along the upper edge and diminishing in depth to zero along the lower edge. The corrugations cause the body to take the frustroconical shape. The base of the frustrum, which will be referred to as the bottom, has an entrance point or opening 15; while the upper end of the frustrum, which will be referred to as the top, has an exit point or opening 16.

Formed integrally with the body is an annnular flange portion 17 extending outwardly from the bottom of the body. The flange portion 17 has two lugs or eyes 18 and 20, which extend outwardly therefrom and are located approximately 180 apart around its periphery. These lugs are formed in the stamping process; and it should be understood that although two lugs are shown in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, only one lug is required.

The lugs are provided to permit the collar to be torn off of a tobacco bundle to which the collar is applied by using a hook or other suitable tool. The hook is inserted into the lug holes 22 or 24; and upon applying a pulling force to the lug, the collar is severed. To aid in the removal of the collar, the flange or body portions may have a weakened area at 26 located at one side of each lug so that the collar will tear more easily when a stress is applied. The weakened areas can be produced in any suitable manner, such as scoring, marking, etc.

In utilizing the collar shown in FIG. 1, a sheet 28 of tobacco (see FIG. 3) is formed into an unsecured bundle by collecting the four corners 30, 32, 34, and 36 of the sheet together around the tobacco pile. The initial step in applying the collar to the unsecured bundle is illustrated in FIG. 4. All four corners 30, 32, 34, and 36 of the sheet are inserted through the collar so that their ends extend approximately 4 to 6 inches above the top of the collar. The next step in applying the collar to a sheet has been found to be extremely important in that it is essential in providing a tighter and more compact bundle. The individual applying the collar to the bundle simply grasps one corner-for example, corner 30-and pulls the corner the remainder of the way through the collar until it wedges. In either a sequential or random manner, the individual corners of the sheet are pulled through the collar separately. The process is repeated until the collar is drawn tightly down on the bundle, as can be seen in FIG. 6. It has also been found that the upper portion of the collar will expand or stetch along the crimped edge as a greater portion of the sheet is pulled through it.

When the bundle reaches its destination, it is a simple process to remove the collar from the bundle. Simply insert a hook or other suitable tool in one of the lugs and pull. A stress is placed on the marked or scored portions of the collar, whereby the collar is initially torn. The collar may then be completely severed. The gauge of the material from which the collar is made should be such that the collar can be easily torn without the requirement of exerting an excess amount of stress but still provide enough strength that the bundle may be picked up or handled without an accidental severance of the collar.

FIG. 7 illustrates a modified embodiment of the securing collar 10 in which the wall 40 of the body portion is not corrugated. The remainder of the collar is indentical to the first embodiment in that it has an annular flange 42 aroung the bottom of the body portion, eye lugs 44 spaced around the flange, and marks or score lines 46 to permit easy severance of the collar. This modified embodiment of the collar is applied to the sheet in the same manner as the preferred embodiment and will hold the sheet sufficiently to maintain the bundle in a compact configuration.

The use of the fustro-conical shape is important, in that it permits the corners of the sheet to be inserted more easily because of the wide opening at the bottom of the collar, while the smaller opening at the top of the collar prevents the corners of the sheets from being pulled back through the collar during handling. Although the modified embodiment shown in FIG. 7 will perform the desired function, it has been found that if the walls of the body are corrugated as shown in FIG. 1, the corrugations l4 serve as teeth or holding members which adds to the holding grip of the collar and prevents the corners from slipping back through the collar during handling. The corrugations also permit the collar to expand as more of the sheet is pulled through it.

As mentioned above, there are two lugs spaced at various intervals around the periphery of the flange of the collar. Although one lug would be sufficient to permit the collar to be torn, it is contemplated that when in use on a bundle, a single lug may not at all times be in a position to permit an individual to grasp the lug and tear the collar from the bundle. Therefore, at least two lugs should be provided so that an individual may be standing at any location around the bundle and still be able to grip at least one of the lugs.

It can be seen from the above description and drawings that this invention provides a securing collar which can be used to secure the ends of a sheet containing any amount of tobacco whereby a bundle is formed. The securing collar may also be drawn tightly down on the bundle and may be easily removed when the bundle reaches its destination. The securing collar described herein also is strong enough to permit the bundles to be handled by the various automated loading and handling systems which are contemplated. Due to its simplicity, the collar is easy to manufacture and very inexpensive.

The above embodiments of the securing collar can be modified in various ways as will be apparent from the foregoing. For example, there are a number of means to provide a tear start, such as a notch. The collar may also be modified by eliminating the annular flange around the lower portion of the collar body, since its only function is to permit the collar to be drawn more easily and does not affect the operation of the collar. However, these and other variations and changes can be made in the invention as above described and illustrated without departing from the true spirit and scope thereof as defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A collar for use in bundling tobacco carried in a sheetthe four corners of said sheet being collected and pulled through said collar to form a bundle, said collar comprising:

a. an annular body portion having a frustro-conical shape, said body portion having a corrugated wall, the corrugations in said wall being adapted to prevent the comers of said sheet from withdrawing from said collar during handling and permitting said collar to expand as said sheet is pulled through said collar;

b. a plurality of weakened areas on said body portion adapted to permit said collar to be severed by the application of a predetermined stress; and

c. a plurality of lugs formed integrally with said body portion and associated with said weakened areas for permitting an individual to apply a stress to said collar, whereby said collar is severed along at least one of said weakened areas.

2. A collar for securing four corners of a sheet containing a predetermined amount of tobacco and forming said sheet into a compact bundle comprising:

a. an angular frustro-conical body portion being adapted to surround and hold the four corners of said sheet when the comers are pulled through said collar to form said bundle; and

b. lug means including at least one lug formed integrally with said body portion and extending therefrom and a weakened area in said body portion adapted to be severed upon application of a stress to said body portion.

3. A collar for securing four corners of a sheet containing a predetermined amount of tobacco and forming said sheet into a compact package comprising an annular frustro-conical body portion adapted to surround and hold the four corners of said sheet when said comers are pulled through said collar to form said bundle, said body portion having a corrugated wall adapted to prevent said sheet from slipping back through said collar and permitting said collar to expand with varying amounts of said sheet pulled through said collar.

4. The collar of claim 3, further including lug means secured to said body portion, said lug means being used to sever said body portion by permitting application of a stress to said body portion.

5. The collar of claim 4, wherein said lug means includes atleast one lug formed integrally with said body portion and extending therefrom and a weakened area in said body portion adapted to be severed upon application of said stress. 

1. A collar for use in bundling tobacco carried in a ''''sheetthe four corners of said ''''sheet'''' being collected and pulled through said collar to form a bundle, said collar comprising: a. an annular body portion having a frustro-conical shape, said body portion having a corrugated wall, the corrugations in said wall being adapted to prevent the corners of said ''''sheet'''' from withdrawing from said collar during handling and permitting said collar to eXpand as said ''''sheet'''' is pulled through said collar; b. a plurality of weakened areas on said body portion adapted to permit said collar to be severed by the application of a predetermined stress; and c. a plurality of lugs formed integrally with said body portion and associated with said weakened areas for permitting an individual to apply a stress to said collar, whereby said collar is severed along at least one of said weakened areas.
 2. A collar for securing four corners of a ''''sheet'''' containing a predetermined amount of tobacco and forming said ''''sheet'''' into a compact bundle comprising: a. an angular frustro-conical body portion being adapted to surround and hold the four corners of said ''''sheet'''' when the corners are pulled through said collar to form said bundle; and b. lug means including at least one lug formed integrally with said body portion and extending therefrom and a weakened area in said body portion adapted to be severed upon application of a stress to said body portion.
 3. A collar for securing four corners of a ''''sheet'''' containing a predetermined amount of tobacco and forming said ''''sheet'''' into a compact package comprising an annular frustro-conical body portion adapted to surround and hold the four corners of said ''''sheet'''' when said corners are pulled through said collar to form said bundle, said body portion having a corrugated wall adapted to prevent said ''''sheet'''' from slipping back through said collar and permitting said collar to expand with varying amounts of said ''''sheet'''' pulled through said collar.
 4. The collar of claim 3, further including lug means secured to said body portion, said lug means being used to sever said body portion by permitting application of a stress to said body portion.
 5. The collar of claim 4, wherein said lug means includes at least one lug formed integrally with said body portion and extending therefrom and a weakened area in said body portion adapted to be severed upon application of said stress. 